The SZ readers have donated a total of more than 200 million euros in 75 years for the “Advent Calendar for Good Works”. South German newspaper” donated. The impressive result has already been determined, even if the 75th fundraising campaign for people who need help in difficult life situations has not yet ended. The success is another good reason to celebrate – with an anniversary matinee on February 25th in the Münchner Kammerspiele. “We are overwhelmed by the generous willingness to donate from our readers,” says Sandra Geisler, managing director of the aid organization.
The anniversary campaign has so far raised around 5.6 million euros for people in difficult life situations. A pleasing result, despite the decrease of around 500,000 euros (as of January 2nd) compared to the 74th campaign, in which the Advent season was also six days longer. “We would like to express our deep gratitude to all donors who show their support despite the economic challenges,” explains Sandra Geisler. “This generosity is a valuable contribution that enables us to make the lives of some people in our neighborhood easier,” emphasizes the executive director. “Thank you very much for your continued support and great commitment.”
Almost 18,000 readers have so far made donations of up to 50,000 euros, and another 1,000 have paid a total of more than 300,000 euros to the SZ service center. “For many of them, it is a good tradition to go to the SZ service center when buying a gift in the city center to make a donation for a good cause,” said Sandra Geisler during her visit to Liselotte Zettler, who has been the Accepts donations at the service center.
Subscribers from abroad, including Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the USA and Japan, also showed their solidarity with the aid organization by transferring amounts of money. Your donations go entirely to help people in emergency situations, as Süddeutsche Verlag bears all material and administrative costs of the campaign.
This year, the appeals for donations in the Munich part and the district editions of the SZ were aimed primarily at children who grow up under difficult conditions, people who have to cope with strokes of fate and suffer from the consequences of illness, and people who are particularly vulnerable because of their low income suffer from the consequences of inflation and high energy prices.
In addition to the financial help to alleviate emergencies, the around 3,000 food packages that the Advent calendar distributes in collaboration with the organic market Vollcorner, especially to old people and single parents with low incomes, are particularly appreciated in these times. “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the donation package with the food, which is very helpful, especially at this time,” wrote an elderly woman. “I really appreciate the very valuable products. Thank you for using your donation options to help those in need!”
Another parcel recipient contacted Sandra Geisler with the words: “Thank you for having your heart in the right place. I was very happy about it. Feel hugged.” A woman whose income is barely enough to live on was also happy about “the package with the fine contents” and sent “a big thank you”: “In my financial situation, this is really a help.”
Among social organizations, the need for help from the people they look after is growing more and more. Because many of them do not have sufficient income, the Advent calendar finances tickets, school materials, food or participation in lunch, excursions and special purchases, explains Sandra Geisler. Expenses for the homeless and feeding the poor are also increasing.
But the SZ Advent calendar not only provides individual help in close cooperation with the Munich social community centers, the social engagement department in the social department, the welfare associations and many other social services in the city and the districts. The aid organization also supports projects whose help directly benefits people in difficult life situations. “We were again able to save a few Ukraine projects that had their continued funding cut off,” reports Sandra Geisler. There is a great need for psychotherapeutic advice among refugees because of the trauma they have suffered.
The SZ Advent calendar provides help in emergencies all year round. Here’s how you can donate:
“Advent calendar for good works from the Süddeutsche Zeitung eV” Stadtsparkasse München IBAN: DE86 7015 0000 0000 6007 00 BIC: SSKMDEMMXXX